ALOPE IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Alope was a princess of Eleusis in Greek mythology, the daughter of King Cercyon, who would become a lover of Poseidon.
Alope Daughter of Cercyon
Alope was the daughter of King Cercyon of Eleusis, by a mother unnamed. Cercyon himself was said to be a son of the god Poseidon.
Alope would grow into a beautiful woman, who would one day catch the eye of the Greek god Poseidon. Poseidon would transform himself into a kingfisher to have his way with the daughter of Cercyon.
The result, of course, was that Alope fell pregnant, and after the given time, Alope would give birth to a son.
Alope did not know who the father was, and so the Eleusian princess gave the newborn to a nurse, so that he should be exposed, left to die.
Alope would grow into a beautiful woman, who would one day catch the eye of the Greek god Poseidon. Poseidon would transform himself into a kingfisher to have his way with the daughter of Cercyon.
The result, of course, was that Alope fell pregnant, and after the given time, Alope would give birth to a son.
Alope did not know who the father was, and so the Eleusian princess gave the newborn to a nurse, so that he should be exposed, left to die.
The Son of Alope
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Alope's child was saved, as was the case with other similar stories in Greek mythology. In the case of Alope's child, the newborn was suckled by a mare, before being rescued by a shepherd. A dispute would arise between shepherds though, about the fate of the child, and so they came to King Cercyon for judgement.
Cercyon recognised the royal garments in which the baby was wrapped, and sought answers about the newborn, of course, it became clear that the child was Alope's, born out of wedlock. |
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The Demise of Alope
Cercyon was known for his cruelty to travellers, for later, it was Theseus who encountered the king on his journey to Athens. Cercyon's cruelty though, also extended to his daughter, and Cercyon decided to bury her alive, whilst his grandson would once again be exposed.
Alope's son though would once again be rescued by the same mare, and shepherds took the boy and named him Hippothoon.
Alope though did die in the cruel manner decreed by Cercyon, her body was rescued, and transformed by Poseidon into a spring, near to Eleusis, which was thereafter named Alope.
Alope's son though would once again be rescued by the same mare, and shepherds took the boy and named him Hippothoon.
Alope though did die in the cruel manner decreed by Cercyon, her body was rescued, and transformed by Poseidon into a spring, near to Eleusis, which was thereafter named Alope.
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Colin Quartermain - Alope - 31st January 2021